Strachan’s strike puts Pagham on road to derby win

Published:11:01Saturday 15 October 2011

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This week’s youth football round-up features victories for Pagham Youth, Pagham Colts, Chi High School for Boys, Predators, Chichester City Youth and Felpham Colts - plus a visit to a Premier League’s training ground for Whyke United.

UNDER-16

Felpham Colts 2 Pagham Youth 6

An interesting Cup match was on the cards as Pagham, with four key absentees, did not want Felpham to avenge their recent league defeat.

Pagham surged into an early 2-0 lead through Rob Strachan’s cross-shot and Jack Barnes’ left-foot strike. However, wayward finishing by Pagham and brave goalkeeping by Felpham’s Johnny Marsh meant no further first-half goals.

A Joe Hurford header from a corner and a Karl Matthews’ shot further increased Pagham’s score but they became too casual, allowing Felpham’s Josh Davis to twice exploit their square defence with his pace and grab a well-deserved double.

Two further goals from Pagham, a second for Barnes and one from debutant Rory Wood against his former club, finished the game off.

The first half was fairly even but the second half saw Pagham turn chances into goals.

They missed a penalty early in the half but soon scored two quick goals.

Liam Kitchener headed them in front, followed by a Dan Gonzalez header, both coming via Ben Haines corners. Billy Stevens was put clean through to shoot past the keeper with Gonzalez making sure it crossed the line.

Gonzalez was again on the scoresheet and minutes from time an excellent five-man move resulted in James Williams completing the scoring.

City turned on the pressure and had several chances but each time the Uckfield keeper was first to the ball. But their efforts were rewarded when a neat through-ball was taken round the keeper and slotted in by Zac Moy.

Uckfield responded with an immediate equaliser and took the lead after a penalty was awarded for a handball in the box.

But City levelled before the break with a powerful run into the box by Collins Alfred.

City took control in the second half with James Amos switching to centre midfield. He scored the third while the fourth came from the spot when Moy was felled and Harry Yeo, back after ten weeks out with a broken leg, stepped up to knock the penalty past the keeper.

Will Dry wrapped it up with neat control in the box and a shot home.

Man of the match was Dan McDonald, who controlled everything at the back.